Avid supporters of dance flocked to the Sofitel Hotel for the Diplomats of Dance Society’s “inaugural soiree” in support of D.C.’s Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company and its upcoming tour to Suriname with the U.S. State Department.

At the Phillips Collection through Sept. 1, “Georges Braque and the Cubist Still Life” examines Braque’s career from 1928 – 1945, a time between the two World Wars when the artist honed his cubist innovations and individual style through the motif of the still life.

The Trust for the National Mall held its fifth annual benefit luncheon on a sunny Thursday at the National Mall May 3. Former first lady Laura Bush, honorary chair of the Campaign for the National Mall, spoke to fellow supporters at the historic space, administered by the National Park Service.

The University Club hosted the 22nd annual local authors night on Nov. 30. Former Secretary of Defense William Cohen and Thomas Friedman, journalist and political economist, were among the 40 authors represented.

On October 27th, just one block from the White House, the arts community and the medical community joined forces for Alzheimer’s Disease awareness. Dr. Dorree Lynn, celebrity psychologist and author of Sex for Grown Ups, headed the fundraising efforts at the art-enhanced event for USAgainstAlzheimer’s.

Given the vagaries of DC, Harry Truman recommended canine companionship and for the past 24 years that advice has been followed as the Washington Humane Society’s Bark Bark Ball draws ever larger crowds.

On June 3, Ambassador of India Meera Shankar in conjunction with The Nooristan Foundation hosted a Spring Soirée, “The Evening of Hope for Afghanistan.” The Nooristan Foundation is a volunteer, non-profit organization established in l999 to provide humanitarian, medical and education support for rural areas of Afghanistan.

Award winning Constellation Theatre celebrated its over the top season with a gala “Kick Up Our Heels & Toast to the Stars!” at The Washington Club on June 9. The evening’s silent auction had myriad goodies including costumes and props from the past season’s productions.

In conjunction with the current exhibit at the National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA), on June 6 outgoing Co-Presidents of the Women’s Committee Cyd Everett and Isin Ludlow invited members to join them for a champagne brunch in the museum board room and the chance to touch the amazing jewels of Tiffany jeweler Paloma Picasso.

Curated by Claudi Carreras, C.EO presents submissions from 20 Latin American and European photographic collectives highlighting their countries’ major environmental concerns. The exhibition is presented by the Ministry of Culture of Spain, the Embassy of Spain and the Spain-USA Foundation in cooperation with the American University Museum at the Katzen Arts Center and FotoDC as part of Spain Arts & Culture 20121 Program.

When it became necessary to postpone a June 3 fundraiser she planned to benefit Second Family, Inc., Shahin Mafi, Founder and Trustee of the Azar Foundation for Children of the World, invited her committee for dinner at La Ferme restaurant on June 2.

Jamaican Women of Washington (JWoW), an all volunteer organization of women dedicated to assisting underprivileged communities in the Caribbean and the DC area, held their 9th Annual Tea-Off to Good Health at the Four Seasons Hotel on June 12.

“A Night of Broadway Stars” was a gala event honoring Covenant House, the international organization which dedicates itself to helping homeless young people find work, homes and hope. It awarded its first “Lizzie” award to Mayor Vincent Gray, Covenant House Washington’s first executive director from 1995 to 2005.

The Georgetown Business Association held its monthly meeting, May 18, at one of D.C.'s oldest marketplaces, which has housed one of Georgetown's high-end food and wine businesses, Dean & Deluca, for almost two decades.

The Georgetown House Tour is one of the most historic events to happen in Georgetown and with sponsors such as Washington Fine Properties, this years House Tour remained a huge success. Washington Fine Properties was once again the sole corporate benefactor of this years event, and with their help, St. John's Church can continue their mission of supporting the members of this community.

First Lady Dolley Madison was one of the first Washingtonians to realize the value of a good gala. Today a wider range of gala patrons are on the scene, from ambassadors and businessmen to social media mavens and corporations. But the point of the party remains the same: good times for good causes. Here is a list of The Georgetowner's most anticipated galas this season.

The Georgetowner hosted its 2nd Annual Photo Competition at Farmers and Fishers with a fabulous spread and photo exhibit. Guests received post cards of top entries including the winning image by Jeff Kouri.

Barbara McConaghy Johnson and Staci Capuano co-chaired Runway en Relevé Troisieme, the third annual fundraising fashion event of the Women’s Committee of the Washington Ballet at Bloomingdale’s Chevy Chase, on Nov. 12. Company dancers, with members of the Women’s Committee, Board of Directors and Jeté Society, modeled fashions capturing the 60’s look of Mad Men. The evening’s Parisian theme heralded Jackie Kennedy’s triumph of European fashion and diplomacy. The raffled “Grand Prix” was a Las Vegas package highlighted by a stay at the Cosmopolitan Hotel, the newest member of the Marriott Autograph Collection.

D.C. fundraisers are often de rigueur, but “Knock Out Abuse” kicked it up several notches.

The invitation to the November 11 event showcased a design by Shepard Fairey, the creator of President Obama’s iconic “HOPE” portrait. Over 700 women celebrated the ultimate girls’ night out—beaming as men cooed through a megaphone, piling in photo booths, and conga dancing their way into a stunning Ritz Carlton ballroom.

The Love Ball supporting the work of the Montgomery Country Humane Society, an event “for everyone who loves animals,” was held at the Hyatt Regency Bethesda on Nov. 13. Clearly many people fit that description. They were accompanied by canines on their best party manners, many garbed in festive attire—elegant doggie coats, tutus and other fabulous creations. Nary a bark was heard at the seated dinner hosted by Holly Morris of FOX 5 Morning News with special guests Aly Jacobs of MIX 107.3, 9 NEWS NOW at Noon anchor JC Hayward and Angie Goff of WUSA9 TV. As one speaker refreshingly noted, “protecting our animal friends crosses all political lines.

The 17th Annual Knock Out Abuse Against Women Gala took place at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel on Nov. 11. Andrea Roane of W*USA 9 emceed. This year honored television pioneer and Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award winner Agnes Nixon with the Aggie Award for her lifetime contribution of bringing social issues to the forefront of America’s consciousness. New York Times best selling author of Crazy Love Leslie Morgan Steiner was the keynote speaker. KOA was co-founded by Jill Sorensen and Cheryl Masri to help women and children suffering from domestic violence. Activist and philanthropist Sarah Guinan Nixon chaired the evening, hailing it as “a true celebration of the power of women to effect change for the most vulnerable women and children in our community.” What 17 years ago began as a dinner party among 20 friends has raised close to $7 million and is today a city-wide celebration of 750 women.

Shahin Mafi and Mona St. Leger co-chaired the National Rehabilitation Hospital’s Nov. 10 Gala Victory Awards at the Organization of American States. The evening featured a buffet of North and South American specialties as well as silent and live auctions which included a Thanksgiving dinner for 10 provided by Windows Catering Company, an air combat mission and a week for two at the Half Moon in Jamaica. This year’s recipients of the Victory Awards celebrating exceptional strength and courage in the face of physical adversity were Cheryl Douglas, a quadruple amputee as the result of a rare bacterial infection, and Tim Strachan, who suffered a spinal core injury during a beach accident before his senior year in high school. He praised the staff at NRH for instilling “the belief that you can move on despite a disability.” He went on to say “you give a gift.”

Washington Women & Wine wisely decided to salute the organization’s 11th anniversary on Nov. 8 by “Dining with Dionysius” at Kellari Taverna. Emmy Award winning news anchor and film maker Mike Walter was the master of ceremonies. His film entitled Breaking News, Breaking Down, winner of the 2010 Cannes Independent Film Festival, explores how journalists pursue breaking news, from 9-11 to Katrina, without forethought of how it impacts them personally. He quipped that a sequel might be entitled Drinking Wine, Feeling Fine. Guests enjoyed a true Greek banquet paired with a special selection of the finest classic Greek wines. The organization now numbers 300 members who enjoy an array of special events including visits to vineyards locally and abroad. Executive Chef Anthony Acinapura said “I’m either cooking or on the phone getting fish here--out of the water to the airport.”

Elizabeth Gaither and Jared Nelson were the star-crossed lovers in The Washington Ballet’s Nov 4. performance of Shakespeare’s, Prokofiev’s and Septime Webre’s Romeo + Juliet at the Kennedy Center. The production launched the 2010-2011 season – UNTAMED! At a post-performance reception for Balletomane Society members held at the Guarisco Gallery, Artistic Director Septime Webre thanked the dancers. He spoke of the magic times when ballet, choreographer and music all come together and said “we are transported and we had those moments tonight.” He concluded “Romeo and Juliet is about love. Please raise your glass to love.”